The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-01-27
a Daughters Last Kiss.

A Daughter s Last Kiss.
| The New York Herald gives the follow
ing account of the death of Rebecca Pax
, ton, the daughter Of Rev. John r. Paxton
formerly Of Philadelphia:
GOOD night, daughter" said the Rev
John r. Paxton, as he kissed the forehead
OF Rebecca Paxton, in the parlor of his
residence, No. 81 West 46th street, on
Sunday night.
GOOD night, papa" answered Rebecca,
and excusing herself from the company
present. the pretty girl of 16 retired to her
room on the second floor.
One hour later the reverend gentleman
sought his own sleeping apartments. To
do so he had to pass Rebeccas door. lie
saw that the gas burned brightly and d.
vined that his daughter was probably read
| ing.
''Rebeccal Rebecca ~
But there was no response from within.
The door was pushed open only to dis
close distressing spectacle to the fond
parent. Against the wall in almost a sit
ting position was the suspended form Of
the young girl cold in death. She had died
| from strangulation, accidentally inflicted
Three months ago the family physician
suggested an apparatus to be used by Re.
becca, who suffered from curvature of
the spine. It was 'pully" instrument
and was attached to the wall. At one erd
of the rope were fastened braces to go un-
der the chin and behind the head. When
the loops are properly adjusted the rope is
pulled downward, and this forces the head
erect and gives extent and rest to the
spine.
Rebecca Paxton was in the habit of ex
ercising with the apparatus every night,
but always with the assistance Of maid
servant. On sunday night the servant
was absent and Miss Rebecca thought she
could operate the device successfully with
out any help. She attended service in her
fathers church (the 42d street Presbyteri-
an church,, and walked home with the
family in the best of spirits. Her i'm
proved condition. it is thought. made her
over conlidant and induced her to take her
customary exercise alone. Through some
false movement the brace supporting the
chin slipped across the throat upon pulling
the rope and shut life off without giving
the young girl an opportunity to make
any cutlery. Death must have come quick
ly and quietly. There was no Indication
of struggling. She looked as though her
feet became helpless and she fell back
ward with the moose pressing about her
neck.
The Rev, Mr.. Paxton loosened the brace
from his daughters neck and caught up
her body in his arms. But life had already
departed. lie laid the body tenderly on the
bed and then gave away to his grief, while
other members of the family were sum.
moned. Mrs. Paxton is away On visit,
but her sister happened to be present ard
was with the father when the sad accident
was discovered.
DR.. Reginald Sayre, who had for some
time been attending Miss Paxton, said 10
a World reporter: miss Paxton must
have tainted while using the appliance
This supposition is supported by the fact
that when she was found there was a
W. und on the side of her head where sh
had evidently fallen against the door jaunb.
Shewas not subject to fainting fits, but
two days before, while shopping with her
aunt, she was taken with feeling of faint
ness and had to go out in the air. There is
no suspicion of sucide.as Miss Paxton has
shown 10 morbid symptoms of mini. AMI
none of the circumstances of the case point
that way. She was accustomed to haye her
aunt or her maid with her when she ex-
ercised with the appliance. but on this oc-
casion, as her maid had gone to bed and
her aunt was in the parlor with some
friends who were spending the evening
she undertook to take her exercise aloue.''